Days of Our Lives Spoilers: Theo’s Dark Turn—Tony’s Sinister Plan Could Crown Him the New Stefano

For decades, Days of Our Lives has thrived on shocking twists, fractured loyalties, and family dynasties whose power struggles keep Salem forever on edge. And now, a new storyline threatens to upend everything fans thought they knew about one of the town’s most beloved young men. Could Theo Carver—the sweet, thoughtful son of Abe Carver and the late Lexie DiMera—become the next Stefano?

The whispers are growing louder, and if Tony DiMera’s hidden agenda is any indication, Salem may soon find itself facing a rebirth of the Phoenix.

The Dual Heritage of Theo Carver

Theo Carver has always been a character caught between two worlds. On one side stands his father, Abe Carver, Salem’s moral compass and mayor whose integrity defines him. On the other is the DiMera legacy, carried through his mother Lexie, who struggled her entire life with the weight of her father Stefano’s shadow.

For years, Theo leaned toward Abe’s influence, his gentle spirit and resilience winning fans’ admiration. His struggles with autism and his determination to build a life on his own terms made him a symbol of strength and hope. Yet Salem is a town where legacies are inescapable, and the darker side of Theo’s bloodline has begun to stir.

Recent episodes suggest Theo may no longer be able to outrun the name DiMera—or the destiny that comes with it.

Tony DiMera: The Puppet Master in the Shadows

Tony DiMera has long been Salem’s enigma—calm, calculating, and forever three steps ahead of everyone else. While EJ thrives on theatrics and Chad battles his conscience, Tony moves like a chess master, orchestrating moves so subtle that no one realizes they’re pawns until the game is nearly over.

His recent “retreat” from DiMera Enterprises, handing control to Gabi Hernandez, raised eyebrows across Salem. Why would a man so attuned to power step aside so suddenly? The answer, as fans are beginning to suspect, is chilling: Tony isn’t retreating—he’s laying the groundwork for something bigger.

And that something appears to be Theo.

Tony’s mentorship of his young nephew has shifted from supportive to unsettling. His conversations are laced with cryptic lines about legacy, strength, and the true cost of power. He is no longer simply guiding Theo—he’s grooming him, molding him into a new Stefano.

Theo’s Transformation: The Phoenix Awakens

The change in Theo hasn’t gone unnoticed. Once reserved and conflict-averse, he now carries himself with a quiet authority that unsettles even those closest to him. His eyes linger too long, his words cut sharper, and his decisions have begun to tilt toward ruthless efficiency rather than empathy.

Social media is ablaze with fan theories pointing out the uncanny parallels between Theo’s current demeanor and Stefano’s legendary presence. He commands attention the way his grandfather once did, drawing people to him not through warmth, but through a magnetic, almost predatory intensity.

Even his interactions with Gabi, EJ, and Abe have shifted. Where once there was hesitation, now there is confidence. Where there was kindness, now there is calculation. Salem is watching a metamorphosis—and the more it unfolds, the more it feels like history repeating itself.

Dr. Rolf’s Shadow: Science Meets Destiny

No DiMera storyline is complete without Dr. Wilhelm Rolf, the brilliant and deranged scientist whose experiments have brought Stefano back from the brink of death more times than fans can count. Rumors suggest Rolf has once again returned to Salem, and his involvement could explain Theo’s shocking transformation.

Could Theo have been subjected to one of Rolf’s twisted experiments? Perhaps fragments of Stefano’s memories—or even elements of his consciousness—have been implanted into his grandson. It wouldn’t be the first time Rolf rewrote someone’s mind to serve the DiMera cause.

Imagine Theo strapped to a chair in one of Rolf’s secret labs, the hum of machinery filling the air as syringes gleam under harsh light. Memories of Stefano’s triumphs, betrayals, and hunger for control flooding into Theo’s mind, rewriting his very soul. It’s the kind of audacious, spine-chilling twist that only Days of Our Lives could deliver.

The Battle for Theo’s Soul

Theo’s rise as the potential new Stefano sets the stage for a seismic battle within the DiMera family—and within his own heart.

• Gabi Hernandez currently holds the reins at DiMera Enterprises, but her position has never been secure. If Theo steps forward as a true heir, emboldened by Tony’s scheming and Rolf’s science, her empire could crumble overnight. Their barbed exchanges already drip with tension, hinting at a corporate war that could turn deadly.
• EJ DiMera has always seen himself as Stefano’s rightful successor. But if Theo emerges as a contender, EJ faces the prospect of being outmaneuvered by someone younger, hungrier, and perhaps carrying Stefano’s very essence within him. An EJ vs. Theo showdown could ignite one of the most explosive rivalries Salem has ever seen.
• Abe Carver stands as the most tragic figure in this saga. The man who built his life on honesty and compassion may now face the unbearable task of watching his son slip into darkness. Can Abe save Theo from himself, or will he be forced to accept that the DiMera bloodline has claimed him completely?

Salem on the Brink

If Theo embraces his DiMera heritage, the ripple effects will shake Salem to its core.

Alliances will fracture. Old wounds will reopen. And the delicate balance between good and evil in Salem could tip toward chaos. With Tony pulling strings, Rolf experimenting in the shadows, and Theo embracing power, the DiMera dynasty may rise stronger—and darker—than ever.

But every Phoenix must face the fire. The question is whether Theo will rise from it as his own man… or as Stefano reborn.

Legacy of the Phoenix

At its heart, this storyline is about more than Theo’s transformation. It’s about legacy—the unrelenting shadow of Stefano DiMera and the eternal question of who will carry his torch.

For years, Stefano’s nickname, “The Phoenix,” symbolized his ability to rise from the ashes time and again. Now, with Theo at the center of Tony’s scheme and Rolf lurking in the background, fans are asking: is the Phoenix about to rise once more, this time through his grandson?